HOUSTON – Myles Bryant isn’t an easy man to find on the football field. That’s because of his skill at lining up throughout the defense, including nickel, outside corner and safety.
Bryant is also an accomplished special-teams contributor who returned punts previously with the New England Patriots.
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Signed to a one-year, $2.25 million free agent deal this offseason, the former University of Washington standout made a big impression on the Texans coaching staff and personnel department during training camp and made the defending AFC South champions’ initial roster over veteran Desmond King.
“Myles is another guy we brought in this year who showcased that versatility playing the nickel position, playing safety, also playing at the corner spot,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “When you have DBs who can do multiple things and line up in different spots, it definitely maximizes your spot on the roster, maximizes what you can do. He also is a guy who’s returned punts in the past as well, so he has a lot going for him.
“Things that he can do in many different areas and when you have guys who are versatile and you can do more, that makes a nice case for you making our team. And excited for Myles and how far he’s come with picking up all the things we’ve asked him to do.”
Bryant, whose deal included a $300,000 signing bonus and $800,000 total guaranteed with a $1.2 million base salary and $14,705 per game active roster bonus up to $250,000 and $500,000 in not likely to be earned incentives along with a $8,820 workout bonus, is an experienced defensive back.
Bryant has played in 55 career games with 17 starts.
“It was just being able to play all three positions in the back end,” Bryant said. “Whether its corner, nickel, safety, and just trying to go out there and learn from the guys that are here. Learning from Jimmie Ward, learning from [Derek] Stingley [Jr.], even learning from Kamari [Lassiter], learning from [Jalen] Pitre, [Eric] Murray. Just trying to learn the best I can to go out there help the team.”
Bryant, 26, is a 5-foot-9, 192-pound former University of Washington player.
He has recorded 200 career tackles, two sacks, nine tackles for losses, four interceptions, 17 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
“Always being in the right spot. I think that’s the first thing,” Bryant said. “We always talk about, alignment and assignment techniques. I think it’s always being in the right spot, and then just going out there and trying to make plays, change the game. Whether it be, penetrating the backfield on a blitz run, going out there being able to cover, being in the right spot, in the zones, and just trying to get the ball back or off.”
A three-time All-Pac 12-selection, Bryant recorded 177 career tackles for the Huskies with four interceptions, three forced fumbles and 3 1/2 sacks.
Bryant went undrafted and signed with the Patriots.
He made the Patriots’ practice squad and was later promoted to the active roster, intercepting a pass against the Rams.
He had a sack and forced fumble in 2021 in a rout of the New York Jets.
His decision to join the Texans was prompted by opportunity and the winning vibe surrounding the defending AFC South champions.
“You saw the way the team performed last year, you saw how they did,” Bryant said. “They were able to make the playoffs, made a run, and this year just trying to stack on top of that and just keep building. I think the biggest thing was the culture here. DeMeco drives a culture that is built on becoming a better football player, but also, sharpening the tool as a man. So, I think that was something for me that, you know, really hit home and made me want to be a part of this culture. As they made the playoff run and start, the media starts talking about the playoff team., I think we started to hear more and more about the culture that’s happening here.”
Bryant said that during the final roster cutdown he remained calm and hoped to not get a phone call informing him to report to NRG Stadium and bring his playbook. That call never came as he made the team while King was released.
“Every year is it’s kind of tricky, because they never tell you that you make the team,” Bryant said. “You just know that you haven’t made the team if they end up calling you in. So, whatever your routine is on that day, try to stick to that and hope you don’t get a phone call. You always hear about different stories. So, you think once it got to the deadline, that’s when you kind of understand that you made the team.
“Every year that I’ve been able to make the 53 my first two years, I did make the 53 so I know what the other side feels like. So, I think each year, I take a little moment for myself. I’m proud to say that I made it. But the work doesn’t just stop there, it has to continue. We got a long season ahead of us, and we got goals that we want to achieve. So, I think the work is time to turn it up even more.”
In terms of camaraderie, Bryant feels confident he’s in the right place. He’s happy with his decision to join the Texans.
“That family culture feel, I think just guys getting to know each other, I think that’s where it starts,” Bryant said. “You don’t know who the guy to your left, to your right is. You know what their values are. You don’t know how they were raised. So, I think that’s where it starts. And then from there, just try to encourage each other. And then we talk about iron sharpening iron. Every time you step out here, try to push each other to get better.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
